He Wasn’t For Stoping
We Never Stop, probably quite an apt name for a horse as that is exactly what you want them to do in order to bring success. On the flip side i they don’t turn out quite good enough then the name may have been a bit of a waste. Thankful the 2yo colt has improved with each run and got off the mark in the valuable, 6f British Stallion Studs EBF Spindrifter Novice Stakes at Pontefract,
There is never a bad York Novice or maiden, so you have to have a nice 2yo to take to the Knavesmire. The son of Cotai Glory had always shown plenty at home and took that to the track when making his debut. Travelling powerfully throughout the contest, We Never Stop got a little bit lost when coming off the bridle and tired in the latter stages to finish a very valiant third. It was a very good debut and confirmed the promise he had been showing on the gallops.
It would be a return to the Knavesmire for his next run where would tackle Twilight Romance, a 2yo who had matched his debut performance. Again travelling well, We Never Stop just couldn’t match the winner late on but again showed that he was still learning. The pair would meet again as We Never Stop lined up at Pontefract with a 4lb pull on the 3 winners in the field, including his latest adversary.
Pontefract can ride quite differently when the weather has been fluctuating and this was one of those occasions. Shane Gray was in the saddle and had won the race before, employing astute tactics coming to the near side rail. Being the only one who had done this, it was obvious that the following races would see a bee line for the rail. With only 5 runners there was never going to be too much trouble in running and Shane immediately took his mount over to the stands side. Having broken well, We Never Stop held the overall lead.
Only the inexperienced newcomer was struggling to get into the contest as the other quartet charged through the first half of the race. Obviously taking the turn was less severe now as they raced on the near side and We Never Stop took the field into the final couple of furlongs. It was the old rivals who were putting up a carbon copy of the race at York, with We Never Stop quickening to apply pressure to Twilight Romance.
It wasn’t all about the front two as there was a three way go when they approached the final furlong. We Never Stop held a slender lead as his rivals pressed for the lead. This was where he relinquished his chances of wining in previous runs but now he had experience on his side. As the margin closed, with 100 yards to run, the pressure forced We Never Stop to respond. Changing his legs and finding another gear, the colt dug deep to go once more. In the final strides of the race he asserted, pulling away and gaining revenge on his rival by 1/2 length.
Following his last run, We Never Stop had shown so much speed that 5f could have been an option but he saw this out very well. He is getting stronger all the time an mentally is really beginning to understand how to race. With his size and scope, We Never Stop will be a lovely 3yo and whatever happens this year will be a bonus. Obviously he will now receive a handicap mark and it will be interesting to see what he does receive. There could well be a trip back to the Knavesmire for the colt as he holds an entry in the valuable sales race.